How do you identify an American Wigeon hen?

The American Wigeon (Mareca americana) is a common dabbling duck found across North America. The males and females of this species have distinct plumage, making them relatively easy to distinguish from one another. However, identifying the female, known as the hen, can still pose challenges for amateur birders. This article will provide tips and clues on how to confidently identify an American Wigeon hen in the field.

What is an American Wigeon?

The American Wigeon is a medium-sized dabbling duck that breeds across North America and winters farther south. Other names for this duck include Baldpate and American Widgeon. This species prefers shallow wetlands with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Some key facts about the American Wigeon:

• Length: 18-24 inches
• Wingspan: 30-38 inches
• Weight: 1.1-1.9 pounds
• Lifespan: 2-3 years
• Diet: Mostly plants and occasionally aquatic invertebrates
• Conservation status: Least concern

The American Wigeon belongs to the genus Mareca, which includes several other dabbling duck species like the Eurasian Wigeon. This is a noisy duck species, with males making a three-note whistle during courtship. They are highly social and found in large flocks, especially during winter.

Distinguishing Hen vs Drake

The first step in identifying an American Wigeon hen is understanding how the female plumage differs from the male, known as the drake.

Adult drakes in breeding plumage have:

• Grayish brown head with subtle purplish iridescence
• White crown stripe
• Green eye patch
• Pinkish chest and belly
• Black rear end
• Bright white shoulders and sides with large black patches

Meanwhile, hens have:

• Grayish brown overall plumage
• Pale blue bill with black tip
• No ornamental head coloring
• Fine barring on the belly and breast
• No white shoulders or flank patches

So the hen lacks the bold black and white pattern and colorful head that makes the drake so striking. Instead, it is more nondescript and overall grayish-brown.

Hen Field Marks

When observing American Wigeons from a distance, look for these characteristics to help identify a hen:

• Blue bill – The hen’s blue-gray bill sets it apart from some lookalike ducks. Only female Wigeons show this bill color.
• Head shape – Hen’s head has a rounded dome shape versus the drake’s angular profile.
• Barring – Faint barring visible on breast and belly at close range.
• Flank spotting – May show vague dark spotting on the sides of the breast.
• Small size – Slightly smaller than the male.

Similar Species Comparison

One of the best ways to confirm an American Wigeon hen is to rule out any potential lookalike ducks. Below are key differences to note:

American Wigeon vs Eurasian Wigeon

American Wigeon vs Gadwall

American Wigeon vs Green-winged Teal

So when observing a potential American Wigeon, check for that pale blue bill, medium size, and listen for any whistles to rule out lookalikes.

Behavioral Clues

American Wigeon hens exhibit some behaviors that can aid identification:

• Often found dabbling in shallow water or tipping forward to graze on aquatic plants.
• Frequent head dipping and tail wagging while foraging.
• Associates in flocks with other American Wigeons and dabbling ducks.
• Often mingles with flocks of European Wigeons during winter.
• Nervous nature with quick bursts of flight if startled.
• Hen may emit a raspy “karr-karr” call.

Watching how the duck behaves can provide additional hints that you’re observing an American Wigeon female.

Breeding vs Nonbreeding Plumage

One complicating factor is that a hen’s plumage changes between breeding season and winter.

During the spring and summer breeding plumage, the hen will show:

• More contrast between brown body and paler face
• Darker feathers with buff-colored fringes
• Bolder flank spotting

In the duller nonbreeding plumage seen in winter, the hen will show:

• Overall grayish-brown color
• Lacks distinct facial markings
• Faint flank spotting

This seasonal variation means positively identifying a hen can be more difficult outside of spring. Look for the consistent field marks like bill color instead.

Juveniles and Eclipse Plumage

Juvenile American Wigeons resemble adult females but are paler overall with a dull bill. Eclipse males briefly take on a female-like plumage after breeding before returning to their flashy colors. These drabber males still show some white on the wings though. So any plain, pale ducks associating with a Wigeon flock are usually young birds or eclipse drakes.

Where and When to See American Wigeon Hens

American Wigeons breed primarily in prairie potholes and marshy areas across central North America. They are strongly migratory, and most of the population winters in coastal estuaries and freshwater wetlands in the southern U.S. and Mexico.

The best times and places to find American Wigeon hens include:

• Prairie pothole region from March-June during breeding season.
• Migration hotspots like central California in early winter and spring.
• Wintering grounds along the Gulf Coast,Atlantic seaboard, and southern California.
• Seek out flocks dabbling and grazing in shallow, vegetated waters.

Focus your search efforts in key American Wigeon habitat during the appropriate seasons to increase your chances of sighting a hen.

Conclusion

Identifying the female American Wigeon largely comes down to noting her unique blue-gray bill, medium size, faint spotting, and association with a flock of similar ducks. Being able to distinguish her subtle markings from superficially similar dabbling ducks takes practice. Observe female Wigeons across a range of seasons and environments to become completely familiar with this species. With a good knowledge of the hen’s plumage, habits, and habitat, identifying an American Wigeon female will become a straightforward task for any birder.